WMU professors guide discussion series on world issues

Jan. 15, 2002

KALAMAZOO -- A handful of Western Michigan University professors
have teamed up with the Portage District Library in Portage,
Mich., to present a number of evening discussions on important
and controversial issues ranging from understanding risk to women's
role in politics.

The four part series, titled "Learning OutLoud: A Guided
Exploration of Contemporary Issues," will introduce the
public to local experts and provide avenues to find more information
about the four major topics.

The program's coordinator and moderator is Dr. Nicholas Andreadis,
WMU assistant professor of counselor education and counseling
psychology. He will begin each session by asking the presenter
several questions to get the topic rolling and generate audience
questions. At the end of the program, book lists will be available
for those who want to learn more about the subject.

"In the last six months, we have had to learn more about
what is happening in the world," says Andreadis. "I
have found that adults learn about things that are important
to them but don't always know how to tap available resources."

Dr. Richard Oxhandler, WMU associate professor and counseling
psychologist in the University Counseling and Testing Center,
will present the first discussion, "Understanding Risk in
an Age of Uncertainty," at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29.

According to Oxhandler, many people have begun to assess the
risks of everyday activities such as attending sporting events
in large stadiums or flying. Though he does not contest that
these are external risks, the discussion will focus on how people
act and think and the risks involved in changing those behaviors
and beliefs.

"We have to start looking at and introducing a way of
thinking about how we act and think," says Oxhandler. "By
thinking differently and confronting risks on a personal level,
it forces us to confront and question ideas about ourselves,
religion, and even our government."